The Indian government has given Ottawa until October 10 to reduce Canadian diplomatic staff in that country to a level equivalent to the number of Indian diplomats in Canada, sources tell CTV News.
Previous reports put the number of diplomats who would have to leave the country at 41, but sources CTV News spoke with said the request was specifically about a parity situation.
At the same time, CTV News has learned that the majority of Canadian diplomats working in India outside Delhi have been evacuated to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
Global Affairs Canada had previously said that “some diplomats have received threats on various social media platforms” and that it is “reviewing their staffing levels in India.”
“For this reason and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust the staff presence in India,” the ministry said, just days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in a murder on Canadian soil.
Earlier on Thursday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters that discussions on the timeline for the withdrawal of Canadian officials were still “ongoing, given the much higher” presence of Canadian diplomats and “their continued interference in our internal affairs.” “. “Striving for parity in our respective diplomatic presence.”
When the first reports emerged earlier this week about India’s demand for a reduction in Canadian diplomats, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly did not confirm them, emphasizing that they did not want further escalation with India, citing the “extremely challenging time.”
“But that’s why it’s so important for us to have diplomats on the ground working with the Indian government. They are intended to support Canadians and Canadian families. “We take this extremely seriously but will continue to engage responsibly and constructively with the Indian government,” Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday.
With files from Rachel Aiello, Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter at CTV News
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”